President of the Budapest Gypsy Symphony Orchestra Nandor Farkas Beke, left speaks as, from left, concert master Andras Suki and cimbalom soloist Oszkar Okros look on during a press conference in Budapest, Hungary, Wednesday, March 11, 2015. The orchestra says a temporary injunction has banned the producer of another large group of Gypsy musicians from copying their name. Beke said that the ruling by a court in Lyon, France, will be in place until the issue is conclusively settled in a lawsuit to be filed soon. (AP Photo/MTI, Balazs Mohai)
The Associated Press
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) - A court has stepped in to clear up a dispute in Hungary's battle of the bands.
The Budapest Gypsy Symphony Orchestra, which often performs in France, says a temporary injunction has banned the producer of another large Gypsy ensemble from using a French version of their name, 100 Violons Tziganes De Budapest, in that country.
Nandor Beke Farkas, manager of the orchestra, said Wednesday that the ruling by a French court will be in place until the issue is conclusively settled in a lawsuit.
"We welcome the formation of other Gypsy orchestras," Farkas said. "But no one should exploit our 30-year reputation."
In 2014, the orchestra, also known as the Hundred Gypsy Violins, was designated a "hungaricum," a national treasure recognized by the Hungarian Parliament.
Xavier Dubuc, manager of the rival group now called the Gypsy Philharmonic Orchestra, said he would not contest the court decision.
Dubuc is also a former long-time producer and manager of the orchestra now run by Farkas and said that his relationship with the group began to sour after the death last year of orchestra leader Sandor Rigo Buffo.
"The new orchestra is very talented and younger," Dubuc said by telephone from France. "I am sure it will be very successful."
FILE - In this April 27, 2012 file photo the original Budapest Gypsy Symphony Orchestra performs during a concert in Paris, France. The orchestra says Wednesday, March 11, 2015, a temporary injunction has banned the producer of another large group of Gypsy musicians from copying their name. Nandor Farkas Beke, manager of the orchestra, said that the ruling by a court in Lyon, France, will be in place until the issue is conclusively settled in a lawsuit to be filed soon. (AP Photo/MTI, Peter E. Varkonyi, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this July 10, 2009 file photo the original Budapest Gypsy Symphony Orchestra performs during a concert on the open-air stage of Margaret Island in Budapest, Hungary. The orchestra says Wednesday, March 11, 2015, a temporary injunction has banned the producer of another large group of Gypsy musicians from copying their name. Nandor Farkas Beke, manager of the orchestra, said that the ruling by a court in Lyon, France, will be in place until the issue is conclusively settled in a lawsuit to be filed soon. (AP Photo/MTI, Peter Kollanyi, File)
The Associated Press